TIME NAMES JAMES ‘ATHLETE OF YEAR’
LeBron James continues to earn accolades for his work against voter suppression. The Lakers star was named Time magazine's “Athlete of the Year” on Thursday.
James' “More than a Vote” organization helped organize and educate voters in the face of suppression, helping drive record turnout in the 2020 election.
“After nearly two decades in the NBA, James has fully embraced that his talent on the court is a means to achieving something greater off it,” Time wrote. “And this year, more than in any before it, he showed why he is unrivaled in both.”
He was also named one of Sports Illustrated's Sportspeople of the Year with the award honoring athletes who exceled on and off the playing fields through community service and activism.
“(It's) being able to go out there and not only perform at a high level in what we do as far as our profession, but also being able to change lives and create opportunities, empower people and inspire people off the f loor, not only in our communities but all over the world,” James said when asked about the Sports Illustrated honor earlier this week. “It means a lot to be a part of that group, to be the first ever three-time winner of this award. I'm very humbled. It means a lot to my family and my friends and the kids in my foundation and my school back home and my city of Akron where I come from.”
He said his work with More Than a Vote was particularly impactful.
“I think it worked out great. We were able to plan and then execute that and it was about basically educating and empowering people in their communities to get out there and exercise their right to vote,” he said. “And understand their right to vote, how important it is, not only to change what's going on in America, but also change what's going on in some of their own communities.
“So, with the help of a lot of people, a lot of athletes, a lot of entertainers, a lot of local people that go around in their own communities making change, we were able to have some success. You look at the numbers through the election, it was the most turnout ever in election history of people who got out there and voted.
“And one thing about us, we didn't tell you who to go vote for. We didn't pick one side versus the other side. We just wanted to educate you and enlighten you and empower you and let you know how important your right is.”
Pacers’ Warren sidelined
The Indiana Pacers could open this season without forward T.J. Warren, their top scorer from last season. The team said that Warren has plantar fascitis in his right foot and will be listed as week to week. It's the same injury that kept All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis from returning to action in the NBA's bubble last August.
Indiana also will be without backup guard Brian Bowen II for 6-8 weeks because of a partially torn groin muscle.
Warren's injury could be more detrimental. Last season, he scored 19.8 points while shooting 53.6 percent from the field — both career highs.
Notable
The Mavericks released J.J. Barea, turning loose the last piece of the franchise's 2011 championship team to give the veteran guard a chance to continue his playing career. Barea, 36, said he had heard from other organizations since news of his release broke, but declined to be specific.
The NBA said eight more players have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total so far this season to 56. Of those, the first 48 tested positive in the league's initial return-tomarket testing phase that went from Nov. 24 through Dec. 1. Those tests showed a leaguewide positivity rate of about 9 percent. That rate dropped to just under 1.5 percent for the week that began Dec. 2.